Welcome to the latest update from the Vatican! During the general audience on December 11, Pope Francis wrapped up a series of seventeen catecheses focused on “The Spirit and the Bride: The Holy Spirit guides the People of God towards Jesus our hope.” In his speech, the Holy Father highlighted the significance of Christian hope as a theological virtue rooted in God’s faithfulness to His promises.
The Holy Spirit: The Engine of Hope
Describing the Holy Spirit as the “ever-flowing source of Christian hope,” Pope Francis drew an analogy of the Church as a boat, with the Holy Spirit acting as the sail that propels and guides it through the sea of history. As we approach the twenty-fifth Ordinary Jubilee Year, the Pope emphasized that hope is not just wishful thinking but a firm belief in divine fidelity.
Radiating and Sowing Hope
Reflecting in Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis underscored that hope is an active force that motivates us to take action. Quoting José Comblin, a Belgian priest and theologian, who championed the cause of the poor, the Pope highlighted that the Holy Spirit empowers those without strength and guides them in their struggle for liberation. He urged believers not only to possess hope but to share and spread it, emphasizing that hope is the most precious gift the Church can offer to humanity, especially during challenging times.
Love: The Most Effective Form of Evangelization
Recalling the Apostle Peter’s advice to early Christians to explain their hope with gentleness and respect, Pope Francis stressed that it is love, not persuasive arguments, that truly convinces people. He emphasized that love is the most powerful form of evangelization, accessible to all.
The Holy Spirit and the Presence of Christ in the Church
Linking back to the catecheses on the Holy Spirit and the Church, the Pope referenced the invocation “Come,” directed by the Spirit and the Bride to the risen Christ, as mentioned in the Book of Revelation. This cry, echoed by early Christians with “Marana tha!” (“Come, Lord!”), signifies both the anticipation of Christ’s final return and His continuous presence in the Church as it journeys through time.
The Inseparable Relationship between Christ and the Holy Spirit
In his conclusion, Pope Francis highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit as Christ’s “alter ego” after the Resurrection, making His work active within the Church. The Spirit not only foretells the future but also instills in us the desire and expectation for it, showcasing the inseparable bond between Christ and the Spirit in the salvation plan.
To sum it up, Pope Francis calls on us to be bearers of hope, driven by the Holy Spirit, and to spread Christ’s love through our daily actions. This divine-infused hope serves as our guiding light, propelling us forward even in the darkest of moments.
